Saturday 17th December 2016
DUMBARTON gave their fans an early Christmas present at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium this afternoon, running out deserved 2-1 winners over Falkirk.
There was little to separate the two teams in the opening half hour of the game, with Sons perhaps enjoying a slight edge.
John Baird had the ball in the net for Falkirk on 15 minutes, but the flag was already up for Peter Grant straying offside.
As the half drew to a close the Bairns pressed hard, forcing Sons’ back line to make some important tackles and clearances.
The reward for concentration and determination came on 43 minutes, when a corner whipped in to the front post was deflected into his own goal by Aaron Muirhead via man of the match Robert Thomson (pictured) to make it 1-0 to Dumbarton.
Sons kept a positive approach going in the second half and looked in control of the game.
But then on 65 minutes, after a contested throw-in was not dealt with, Craig Sibbald fired home through a crowded penalty area to equalise for Falkirk.
Two minutes later Dumbarton were back in front. Sam Stanton set up Garry Fleming for a superb low drive into the far corner to make it 2-1 to the home side.
The match went end-to-end in the closing minutes, with both sides coming close in a thrilling finale.
The victory gives Dumbarton an important boost and a vital three points at a crucial stage in their Ladbrokes Championship campaign.
Full match report and Sons TV to follow. Comment and match photos now online.
| 1 | Falkirk | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 20 |
| 2 | Partick Thistle | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 14 |
| 3 | Cove Rangers | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 13 |
| 4 | Montrose | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 13 |
| 5 | Dumbarton | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 11 |
| 6 | Airdrieonians | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 10 |
| 7 | Peterhead | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 9 |
| 8 | East Fife | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 7 |
| 9 | Clyde | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 6 |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 5 |
Simon Barrow